Transportation panel votes to expand inside-the-vehicle video ban

It’s not unusual to see young passengers peering at videos in the back seat of a vehicle. But should the driver be able to watch something, too?

It turns out Minnesota law doesn’t specifically say they can’t. It does have a prohibition on looking at a “television screen,” but Rep. Terry Stier (R-Belle Plaine) believes that to be outdated language.

So he’s sponsoring HF3241, which would broaden the prohibition to include operating a motor vehicle while a “display of electronic content” is visible to the driver. Violations would be a petty misdemeanor.

“Surely, we can agree that we don’t want drivers going 70 miles per hour down the road while playing video games or watching TV,” Stier told the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee Wednesday.

The committee approved two amendments, one correcting a date and an oral amendment offered by Rep. Julie Greene (DFL-Edina) clarifying that the prohibition would not apply to law enforcement vehicles being used in the performance of official duties. The bill was then approved by voice vote and sent to the House Floor.

“What we’re looking at now is a real switch in what is taking place as we’re interacting with those electronic devices,” said Mike Hanson, director of the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety.

“There’s much more video content and other types of interaction,” Hanson added. “This includes the video streaming, the gaming, the shopping. … We’re seeing a decline in the amount of texting and messaging that’s taking place, but we’re seeing significant increases in the amount of engagement with this virtual content.”

Hanson added that, in an average year, 30 Minnesotans are killed because of distracted driving.

Some forms of content from the vehicle’s infotainment system are not restricted, including information related to vehicle operation, condition or navigation. The bill would also allow exceptions for authorized emergency vehicles, video used to aid the driver’s visibility out of the vehicle, use of a dedicated GPS for navigation, and use of a wireless communications device as authorized under the state’s “hands free” law.